Two years ago, I found myself in a final sprint towards the completion and successful defense of my PhD. Though I was surrounded by dialogue of “job applications”, “career planning”, and “joining the academy”, after six years of juggling the rigors of doctoral studies and greater than full-time employment, I didn’t make moves. I had been employed in higher education for 13 years, even with one position counseling other graduate and doctoral students in career services. I knew what I should do to prepare for my post-graduation career steps. I juggled all of the pros and cons of the plethora of potential paths pursuable after earning a PhD, read all the proper recommended critical preparation books, and asked many, many questions. Yet, to the chagrin of my mentors and support system, my extensive research led me to the broad, expansive openness of not being sure of my next steps.
When earning a PhD, there is often an inundation of discussion of working in the Academy. As a practitioner working within K-12 and then Higher Education for almost two decades, this option seemed the logical path. Furthermore, alternatives to the academy were not plentiful upon first examination. I half-heartedly began to explore options while taking some time to travel the world and rebalance myself after the final sprint of finishing a year of dissertation, teaching, working, and making seemingly critical life decisions. During this time, one path that I did not consider was consulting.
So, how did I discover this incredible opportunity to combine my practitioner passions and experience, drive for academic rigor and research, and my expertise in business management in a world foreign to me, yet so familiar? My network. Now, I know we have all heard the importance of networking. I, like many of my peers, entered full-blown networking mode at national and regional conferences, interviewed professionals across my field, volunteered my time and energies, and got involved with projects, presentations, groups, boards, and so on. Though these actions were fruitful, with developed connections that were, and still are, incredibly inspirational, they did not result in a position.
Recently, I came across an article about Rudy the Bulldog. Rudy performed at the Westminster dog show as an underdog (pun intended). As the article unfolded to build up the story of Rudy as a competitor, it stated, “As any athlete worth his or her Wheaties box will tell you, it’s not about conquering the obstacle course; it’s about surmounting your own internal obstacles” (Chrisman, 2019). Though Rudy didn’t win the top prize, nor ran a perfect course, he performed his bulldog heart out. He conquered the unconquerable! Like Rudy, I worked for years to conquer my “obstacle course” to be able to pursue new career endeavors, be the change I for so long had dreamed about in higher education, and be able to combine my “doer” practitioner nature with my theoretical self. Rudy made me realize how, like so many before and after me, each and every step of the journey to be better, to learn more, to help empower others, or to set and reach new goals was all about surmounting my own internal obstacles.
Therefore, when I serendipitously came across a LinkedIn posting for Transforming Solutions, Inc. consulting, I confidently and inquisitively reached out for more information. Pushing my nerves about the unknown aside, and my “nothing to lose” mentality to the forefront, I went for it. In hindsight, consulting was a major blind spot on my professional radar. How in the world did I not know about consulting as a phenomenal opportunity to combine professional experience, academic knowledge, and continue to learn? Well, I didn’t know. So, I am now making it my mission that others in my shoes, or not my shoes at all but that may have a similar blind spot, will not miss out on a potential powerful career opportunity. Check out my next blog, “I’ve Got a Fever and the Only Prescription… is More Consulting” to learn about how my views of, and experiences with, consulting came to fruition.
As you explore options for your next career steps, or mentor others in their pursuit, keep in mind the plethora of opportunities available in the world of consulting.
Look for Dr. Loebick’s second blog post in this three-part series, coming in mid-March.
